Yogyakarta- To commemorate the move of capital from Jakarta to Yogyakarta on January 4, 1946, the Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Center of UGM holds the “Yogya Republic” commemoration. According to Prof. Dr. dr. Sutaryo, Sp.A.(K), advisor of the Center, the commemoration is held on Tuesday (4/1) at Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Center UGM. The event that has been conducted four times since 2007 will present stadium generale by UGM historian, Prof. Dr. Suhartono Wiryopranoto.
“Suhartono even has several important photos related to the role of the Yogyakarta Palace and the city of Yogyakarta during Indonesia’s independence period,” Sutaryo told the press at UGM Fortakgama Room UGM on Monday (3/1).
Sutaryo said that the commemoration of the move of capital of the Republic of Indonesia from Jakarta to Yogyakarta has been conducted in 2007, 2008, 2009 and early 2011. The event aims to remind the young generation and national leaders that Yogyakarta was once the capital of the Republic of Indonesia. “The founding of UGM is also related to the move of Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Yogyakarta at the time,” he said.
“Besides to remind people about the role and merit of Yogyakarta in history, the event that will be attended by professors, lecturers, students, staff and members of the public is also to strengthen national unity that is currently eroded by multi-dimensional problems. “If we reflect on the phenomenon, Indonesia can grow strong through the unity of all elements,” said the pediatrician.
Sutaryo gave evidence of the role and struggle of Yogyakarta people at that time. Yogyakarta people who died in the struggle reached more than 2,718 people, 539 went missing, and 736 were injured.
At that time, the news about Indonesia’s independence on 17 August 1945 was received by Yogyakarta Domei Office. Sri Sultan HB IX and Paku Alam VIII directly sent congratulations on the birth of the Republic of Indonesia and the elected Ir. Soekarno as president and Drs. Moh. Hatta as vice president. News of the proclamation was also announced during Friday sermons at Kauman Great Mosque. “In the evening, Ki Hajar Dewantara together with Tamansiswa students also spread the news. Therefore, Yogyakarta’s role was very important at that time,” said Sutaryo.
Yogyakarta Palace under Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX has a major role in the history of Indonesia. During the second Dutch military aggresion when Yogyakarta was attacked by the Dutch in 1949 and many national leaders were arrested, the Sultan prepared an emergency government.
Yogyakarta was retaken in the war on 1 March 1949 and Dutch troops were withdrawn from Yogyakarta. By 6 July 1949, President Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta returned to Yogyakarta from exile and on 17 December 1949, Soekarno was inaugurated President of the Republic of Indonesia at Siti Hinggil Yogyakarta Palace.
“Sri Sultan handed out 6 million gulden to Soekarno to run the Indonesian government, because the government did not have the money,” he emphasized.
At the same place, the Center’s Manager and Deputy Dean of Student Affairs of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Drs Arief Akhyat, M.A, added that Yogyakarta specialty is not only in terms of political but also economic, social, culture, educational and religious aspects. Democracy in Yogyakarta has run well so the people live safely, harmoniously and peacefully.
“See how some religious places have been built side by side such as a pagoda next to a mosque or church at that time in Yogyakarta while in other regions, a similar thing caused a conflict,” Arief said.